Anomaly

Selyra’s explanation of the current situation was far from detailed. Even so, it was more than enough to make both Charlotte and me subtly more serious. The almost childlike curiosity that had been written across Charlotte’s face gradually faded, replaced by a thoughtful expression weighed down with concern.

She stayed silent for a few seconds, clearly gathering her thoughts before finally speaking: “Okay...” she began with a quiet sigh: “I may not know nearly as much as you two do about all this... powers, authority, reality falling apart... or whatever Althea called it when she tried to explain everything to me the other day”

She paused briefly, furrowing her brow as she folded her arms across her chest: “But even I can tell this sounds bad... really bad” Her eyes met mine for just a moment, as though searching for reassurance that she wasn't overreacting.

When she found nothing in my expression to ease her worries, she looked back at Selyra: “And... well... since you went through all the trouble of bringing us here...” she continued, her voice noticeably more cautious: “that means you have a plan, right?”

Charlotte tilted her head slightly: “I mean... there's some way to stop whatever's happening... isn't there? Or at least you have some idea of what we can do?”

Charlotte was genuinely anxious about the grim consequences Selyra’s warning might bring. Her shoulders remained slightly tense, and the spark of curiosity that usually lingered in her eyes had been replaced by quiet unease. Unfortunately, I couldn't think of a single thing that might reassure her.

Not when, from my perspective, the situation had a very real chance of becoming every bit as disastrous as it seemed. Based solely on what Selyra had revealed so far, it was almost impossible to ignore the implications, or the countless consequences that could follow.

The more I thought about Selyra's words, the harder it became to believe this would all end with a simple solution. Besides, Charlotte was still just a teenager. Yes, a teenager with a power far beyond anything she could truly understand at this point, but a teenager nonetheless.

Simply possessing extraordinary power didn't erase her fears, her insecurities, or her lack of experience in situations like this. If anything, it probably made everything even heavier. No matter how extraordinary Charlotte was, this was nothing like the life she'd been living until now.

Not that long ago, her biggest worries almost certainly didn't involve powers capable of drawing unimaginable threats or responsibilities that even seasoned adults would struggle to bear. It was only natural that all of this felt overwhelming.

Unaware of my thoughts, Selyra turned her attention back to Charlotte. A faint smile appeared at the corner of her lips, softening her previously serious expression and making her seem far more approachable: “Of course. After all, this directly affects our domain” Her voice remained calm and composed: “I can sense even the smallest change or disturbance and respond accordingly”

The faint smile, however, disappeared almost as quickly as it had appeared: “But... right now, my hands are tied” The words hung heavily in the air.

Selyra fell silent for a brief moment, her lips slightly parted as if she were searching for the right way to explain. Her eyes wavered ever so slightly before she finally let out a quiet sigh and shook her head: “This wasn't...” she began, only to stop herself again. She frowned faintly, as though admitting it genuinely bothered her: “This wasn't supposed to happen yet. Not this soon”

Her gaze settled on Charlotte, growing noticeably more intense: “At least... not before you were ready” Charlotte didn't respond. She simply held Selyra's gaze while the atmosphere around us seemed to grow even heavier.

Selyra folded her hands in front of herself, her expression turning contemplative: “We were supposed to have more time” Her voice was quieter now, carrying a hint of frustration: “Enough time for your powers to awaken and develop much more naturally”

She paused before quietly adding, almost as though trying to convince herself: “That's how it was supposed to happen”

Charlotte absorbed Selyra's words in complete silence. This was probably the first time anyone had spoken so directly and definitively about her powers, without speculation or theories. In a way, the fact that Selyra had Charlotte's exact same face made everything feel so much more... real.

Much harder to doubt. As I watched Charlotte's reaction, Selyra spoke again. This time, her eyes remained fixed on Charlotte, carefully watching every subtle shift in her expression.

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“The headaches, as you humans like to call them, that you've been experiencing for some time now are simply a natural response to the abnormality of our authority” Her voice remained gentle, almost unbelievably comforting: “Once we resolve this problem, everything should return to normal. The headaches will simply disappear”

Charlotte nodded slowly. The news was a relief, but not enough to erase the uneasiness still written across her face. She remained silent for a few moments before looking back up at Selyra: “But... what exactly are we supposed to do?” she asked hesitantly: “You said it yourself, my powers still haven't fully developed”

Her gaze drifted down to her own hands. She slowly curled them into fists, as though trying to feel a strength that simply wasn't there: “I... am I really going to be able to help like this?” she murmured, the uncertainty unmistakable in her voice. A faint, bitter smile crossed her lips for only a brief moment before disappearing: “Honestly... I really don't think making a few people happy is going to make any difference”

My eyes shifted toward Charlotte. She kept her head lowered, her shoulders slightly slumped as she bit her lower lip. She wasn't biting hard enough to hurt herself, but the small gesture betrayed the frustration she was trying so hard to hide.

I thought about saying something, anything, that might lift her spirits, even if only a little, and ease some of the weight she was carrying. However, I gave up before I even opened my mouth.

If I didn't fully understand the true extent of my own powers, how could I possibly give her advice about something I barely understood myself? Any attempt to reassure her would be nothing more than an empty guess.

Selyra, on the other hand, seemed to see far beyond Charlotte's insecurities. Her posture remained calm, almost unshakable, as though these doubts were exactly what she had expected: "Hope..." she began, her voice gentle yet filled with quiet conviction: "What you and I govern, Charlotte, is far more than simply making people happy"

Charlotte slowly lifted her eyes, still hesitant. Selyra held her gaze before continuing: "Hope is the only thing keeping this world from being completely overrun and consumed by the imperfect creations you humans have come to call anomalies"

Charlotte caught her breath for a brief moment. A faint smile tugged at the corner of Selyra's lips. It was subtle, almost imperceptible, yet carried a comforting confidence: "You're far more capable than you realize, Charlotte"

She took a small step forward, closing the distance between them: "Our authority is part of who we are. Controlling it is as natural to us as breathing is to a human. You don't need to worry so much about figuring out how to use it"

Charlotte remained silent, listening carefully to every word: "Because it's always been inside you" Selyra finished softly. "When the time comes... you'll simply know what to do"

Charlotte still seemed burdened by her own doubts. Her gaze wavered for a few moments, as if she were trying to sort through everything she had just heard. Even so, after taking a deep breath, a faint smile finally appeared on her lips: "Okay..." she said, letting out a quiet laugh through her nose: "Considering that I'm you... and you're the one telling me this... I guess I'll trust myself"

The remark brought an amused sparkle to Selyra's eyes. She nodded slowly, a gentle smile forming at the corner of her lips, calm and reassuring, much like the smile a mother might give after seeing her child finally find a little peace.

For a brief moment, I found myself thinking about how strange that comparison really was... But, honestly, it fit in a way. There was something about Selyra's presence that radiated an almost indescribable sense of calm, as though simply being near her was enough to ease some of the anxiety hanging over us.

Even so, I had doubts of my own. My gaze shifted from Charlotte to Selyra before I finally broke the silence: "Do you have any idea where all of this started?" I asked evenly: "Any clue at all... anything that could point us in the right direction?"

I paused for a moment before continuing: "My authority... whatever it actually is... could probably help in a situation like this" I gave a slight shrug, my expression remaining as unreadable as ever: "The problem is, it'd only be useful if I could actually use it. And unfortunately... I still can't"

Selyra remained silent for several moments. A quiet sigh escaped her lips before she slowly shook her head, as though she'd already expected to reach that conclusion: "Unfortunately... there's nothing I can do from where I am" There was a faint note of regret in her voice: "The most I can manage is bringing all of you together in your dreams. Even that has its limits. My connection with Charlotte is still far from what it should be" She paused briefly before continuing in a more serious tone: "This will most likely be the last time I'll be able to help until Charlotte fully awakens" Silence settled over us once again.

Selyra narrowed her eyes ever so slightly, lost in thought. She seemed to be considering a possibility that hadn't occurred to her before. A few seconds later, a faint spark of realization appeared in her eyes: "That said... perhaps Charlotte can help after all"

At the sound of her name, Charlotte blinked several times in surprise before immediately turning toward Selyra: "Me...? What do you mean?"

Selyra nodded calmly: "Charlotte can serve as a kind of beacon. Her connection to Primordial Hope still exists, even if it's incomplete. If we can use that connection properly, she may be able to lead you to the source of whatever is draining hope"

The calm certainty in Selyra's explanation made it obvious that she knew exactly what she was talking about. Charlotte, meanwhile, looked from side to side before cautiously pointing at herself, utterly bewildered: "Wait... me?"

Her expression was an almost comical mix of confusion and insecurity, as though she simply couldn't believe anyone would place such an enormous responsibility on her shoulders. Honestly, judging by the look on her face, she didn't inspire anywhere near the level of confidence Selyra seemed to have in her abilities.

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